Feeling summertime with cows and Paris parks

Again, it has been a while.  Last weekend though, we finally went somewhere interesting.  Previous to that, not much was really blog-worthy.  I studied constantly for my French Driving Theory test (aka the code) and crammed in the "required" driving lessons, bringing me to my devastating failure during my actual driving test.

The saddest thing about failing the driving test was that I wouldn't have failed had I understood more this bizarre intersection which confused me and therefore drove through a red line automatically disqualifying me.  There were about four stoplights visible at an intersection, using you go up to the front of the road rule and stop.  I kept going to go to the intersection.  I had every intention of stopping at the red light, but apparently didn't do it at the right one.  To be clear, there was no road between these two places to stop.  I still feel cheated in a way and the anger directed at myself was relentless for several days afterward.

Now, we are looking at HOW I will take the test again and when and where.  It is a very expensive, time consuming process from start to finish in any case and when you fail either parts of the test - there is only more time and money being spent.  Two of Hicham's good friends took THREE years to get their license.  Incredible.

Now, you would not be surprised to learn that there is such a thing as "license tourism" where French people go to other countries to get their license and then return to France and exchange it for a French one.  There are 14 US states which allow the exchange, NC was not one of them.  But anyway, driving here is so completely different and imo dangerous, that I would not have dared drive without knowing the rules anyway.  Not to say that I think spending hours upon hours studying FOR A TEST is really learning... but eventually some of it does soak in so I guess knowledge is transferred somehow.  But it is not a driving class as you might imagine.  Literally, you go to class and take practice tests over and over and over and over and over.  There are some explanations if you plead for the instructor to clarify, but the process is one where you WILL be made fun of for asking such a stupid question. 

Well, anyhoot, I also used the practive dvd tests everynight for hours and could barely sleep because I could only think about driving.  Well, the next step I take will be explored here next time, but I really have already reached my limit in discussing this topic at the moment. 

So, we finally had a weekend of fun last weekend.  I wanted to blog about it before this weekend started - and today is already Friday.

The Grignon Farm: The Positive Farm!

 On Saturday we went to an experimental, ecological dairy farm.  We were the only ones there until we left - when suddenly many cars arrived so that was really interesting.  And surprisingly, even though I am from Minnesota, I have never actually seen a cow being milked for real.  I have also never seen a dog herding a bunch of cows.  It reminded me of current day politics really.  The cows outnumbered the dog by many and could easily have crushed the barking furball with one step backwards, but they just kept with the herd with a nervous look in their eyes.

Note the herding dog moving um on out.

We bought some unpasteurized products for Hicham and Sabine to enjoy.  They are not recommended for pregnant women, though most French women do not heed this.  So, it probably isn't a big deal.  But well, anyway, I don't really care.  I miss booze more to be honest. 

They are actually free range cows, but they come in to be milked.

Well, that was Saturday.  Sunday we went to an outdoor jazz festival at the enormous Parc Floral of Paris.  It was my first time ever going there, now I ask myself why?  I have visited practically every single park, green space and forest in and around Paris.  This one turned out to be the best one yet!  Though I do love Bagatelle by our apt. 

Anyhoot, it was quite a discovery - both the friendliness of it, the variety of things to do, the easy-going vibe, the funky clothing, the energy of the place and well, the trees were huge and plentiful.  It was so great as well to hear such incredible percussion focused music and another funky jazz music group. 

Here are some of the highlights of the day.  The day included two firsts for Sabine too.

Xavier Desandre Navarre: a one man percussion wonder!

Sabine's first puppet show - a French childhood tradition.  It was a bit violent for my liking, so we left after about 10 minutes.  I mean, why on earth would the puppets need to assault each other? 

A drumming class for families in the trees.  Love that!

Perfect weather too.  Under that large awning was the incredibly diverse group Mulatu Astatke (below)

Eight wonderful musicians made up this band who rocked the park!

A zen garden and near by a bonsai house.

Sabine's first ice cream cone.  I only thought to take the picture as she was finishing it.  Ah well, I was enjoying my cone too:)

What people lounging on the grass?  And the grass remained green anyway?  Incredible discoveries here.

After leaving this delightful park, we walked back to the car.  I was in the picture taking mood so, here ya go:

I do enjoy Paris's tree lined streets.

http://en.chateau-vincennes.fr/

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, we haven't taken a group shot in a while.  So, this one is taken in front of the Vincennes Castle as we were almost to the car. 

It really was one of the best weekends we have had in over a month.  Finally!

Day at Quai Branly with the pointer

More Sabine!  Tuesday we went to the Paris' Quai Branly Cultural Museum Last time we were there, Sabine was just learning to walk.  It was really fun to see her about a year old older in the same setting.  This time there was no finger holding for balance, it was too busy pointing at everything cool to look at. 

When Sabine was 10 months old.

Standing in the flowing "River of Words"

Native American Head Dress

Brazilian Carnaval costumes

African totems

 

Biking (with) Baby in Paris.

Hicham on his bike

Biking has been a big part of Hubba Hubby's life since he was a little kid.  Growing up in Eastern France, he and his brothers would spend summers biking in the Les Vosges Mountains (the twin of the Black Forest Mountains in Germany), racing bikes and he even partook in some of the Tour d' France 'stages' for weeks at a time.  Even now, he bikes to work every day, rain or shine.  Sure, he could take the metro which would take him about 45 minutes, but the bike only takes him 35 minutes.  And he has a shower at work too.  Paris is not the most bike-friendly city like Amsterdam or Portland, but bikes are normalized here and so drivers are more prone to see them.


I was super excited when I got my own bike someone was selling second-hand with a babyseat attached, bike helmets, locks and oh yes, a basket! It is a real old-school bike directly from Holland.  Sturdy and heavy as hell.  It rests here with the other bikes in the "bike cave" which is exactly what it is called. 

My bike is the one on the right.  She was pre-named, Giselle which is fine by me.

Biking along the Seine River

Two blocks up from our apartment.

 

Since I was eager to ride Giselle around, but not that comfortable with Paris traffic, we had been sticking to bike trails and our little suburban roads. 


 But today was the day to meet new, exciting challenges!  Today was the day to bike in Paris proper!











It takes about 30 minutes to go the five miles to the Eiffel Tower from our home by bike.  All that green you see is the infamous Bois de Boulogne, one of Paris' urban forests/parks.   It is really, big and has a horse-race track and two lakes.

Now where?

Today, I went through the forest to the other side!  I met my personal "biking in Paris challenge" and I have a iconic photo to prove it.   I will admit though that most of the trip was tree lined and without cars and the parts that were roads had bike lanes - so, it was pretty smooth sailing for me and Sabine.

And that is how biking should be, easy and fun!

My Favorite Building in all of Paris

Even though I have lived here for almost three years (one summer and 2.5 years in our current abode), I can still be taken aback by some of the sights here.  Some bad, some good and some downright breath-taking.  My all-time favorite building falls in catagory three. It's address is 29 Ave Rapp.  It is about 2 minutes away from the American Library.  We get to see it each time we go and I always stop to admire it and like good art, each time I see it I like it more and more.  I also notice new things about it.  It is worth a few minutes to really look at these pictures, there is just so much love and care that went into creating this building's facade.

I have always wondered, who?  why?  what in the hell?  I mean, a TWO HEADED TURTLE?  Luckily, google maps, led me in the right direction (ha ha pun intended).  From locating the address on google maps, it appears I am not alone in my mild obsession with this art nouveau fantastic building.  Many others have taken photos of it too and even credited the original designer Jules Aime Lavirotte.  So, a simple google search of that name led me to more information about Jules.  And voila, the guy designed at least nine other buildings.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Lavirotte includes all the addresses and so, I will begin my quest to seek and find each of these mythical buildings in Paris.

I am pretty thrilled at the prospect, not gonna lie of a mini mission.  As my favorite tv character would say, "Set a course" (Capt Janeway).  Here is the first of nine (can't wait to get to Seven of Nine - another Star Trek reference tee-hee).

Nine Building Photo Series: One

Built 1901:

 

             Another Angle.

Please click on the photo to open it up to it's original size and enjoy all of it's glorious details: 

                         Check out that cool interior ceramic ceiling.  And people actually get to live here.

                          Hello 112 year old two headed turtle.

Saved the best part for last, the entrance.  You can't just call it a door either.  It truly is an entrance.

THE MOMENT - or shall I say, my awakening

Ever the walking cliche' or at least I feel like it, I had my 'awakening' and it was today. I have had brief interruptions of sleep-walking through the day of the blazee, BUT today was a day that all the naysaying negativity about Paris has gone to sleep and I ... I have awoken to the glory of the city of Light.

I had been in my sleepy way of should be practicing French, but watching "Valley Girl" on YouTube is just so much more interesting. Like totally! But I had a grocery list to get and as you may know, the stores in Paris are unbelievably closed on Sunday!

So, I dreaded doing it. I pretty much have only had fun when I am out - but it's the thought of leaving our cozy sanctuary that does not appeal to me. I am not pleased to say it, but living in Durham made me a serious homebody. There were only two places I would rather have been: the forest or the dance floor - and the truth is, they are just extensions of home. ANYWAY!

Got the bags to carry the groceries home. On my list was toilet paper, coffee, bread, soy milk, yogurt, apples, laundry softener (gonna give it a try), rice cakes, cereal and lotion... We will get the veggies tomorrow at the market and I will bring the camera for blog purposes! Which is what I wish I had done today!!!

But of course, what exciting thing could happen between here and 4 blocks to the store? Well, a group of musicians COULD be standing on the corner playing Fwenchie music like the other day... or a new store could have a wine/cheese event... or there could be some particularly beautiful fruit or flowers in one of the numerous street shops worthy of a photo... but today there was a musical extravaganza in the streets!

AND IT WAS MOST LIKELY ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS I HAVE EVER SEEN. Now, don't get me wrong, I have seen some dynamic drumming in India (imagine hundreds of Indians drumming and walking) and some funkadelicious drumming in Honduras on the islands during some Garafuna holidays and so on... but today, I saw the French version of drumming that would have put Hillside High in Durham to shame (well, not really)... but allow me tell you what was so special about this drumming and dancing down the streets of a small neighborhood in Paris. The drummers were 80% FRENCH WOMEN AND GIRLS and the dancers were all French women. The entire group spanned from 14 years to 50 years old. These lovely women were pounding those HUGE drums and swinging their hips and the dancers were giving the crowd filling up the sidewalks everything they had! I of course, started crying right then and there. Now if you know me, I can cry over a feel-good commercial.

The other interesting thing about it was that for the first half of the parade, the cars drove right along side of the dancing/drumming parade. It was a two way street and they all seemed to take turns going. That is one cool thing I have noticed about the people here - sure, they may not be 'friendly', but nor are they aggressive or possessive. From what I have observed, they genuinely know how to share space. It is kind of unbelievable at times. Even during this dancing in the streets, the flow didn't just STOP because of this, the street became used by both. I, for one (and maybe the only one standing there grinning and crying)thought it was totally amazing. Everyone, people with full shopping bags like me, daddies with strollers, old ladies with canes, young men with motorcycles, fashionista females all just doing their thing.

I stood their bopping, grinning, shining and crying at seeing French women in a new way and in seeing myself living in Paris in a new way too! I now am beginning to understand my relationship to the outside world needs to open up in a new way ... and so I need to change too. So, now it is when I say, see: I am now the cliche and I like it like that.

see that tiny green arrow surrounded by Paris... yeah, that is the new pad loco

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